Facebook Chat -- Author Q/A on 'The Rise of Asian Americans'

On Wednesday, June 20, Pew Research Center Senior Writer D'Vera Cohn took questions from our online audience in a LIVE discussion on Facebook about the new report, 'The Rise of Asian Americans.' We've repurposed that conversation here in an easier-to-read format.

Surveys & polls' results are reductionist form of reality, but is a good starting point to begin a discussion, to dig deeper for a more nuanced, and rather complex, picture of realities (plural intentional.) The survey's Overview conveys &... confirms many stereotypes about Asians & Asian Americans, many of which are perpetuated by Asians & Asian Americans themselves, partly a self-fulfilling prophecy. Two examples, one personal, that put the results into question: Almost 1 in 3 Korean Americans do not have health insurance (APIA Health Forum); many Vietnamese refugees (the family I lived with) describe themselves as middle class even while living in cramped one-bedroom apartments in crime-ridden Tenderloin area of San Francisco. Pooled together, six of us at the time probably made over $70,000 a year. I'm glad Pew conducted the survey, but as usual, marketers & political campaign consultants (too lazy & ignorant) will only rely on & spout the reductionist version of reality I fear. Thank you.